Private security companies that transport money as well as wedding convoys have been asked to abide by traffic regulations, a move that is aimed at curbing traffic accidents in the City of Kigali.

This was one of the resolutions in a meeting convened over the weekend by the city security committee, which attracted city security organs and public transport companies that operate within the city and those commuting from the city to other parts of the country.

Bruno Rangira, the City director for media and communication, told The New Times that wedding and cash-in-transit convoys are not exception to traffic regulations, and they are subjects to any traffic fines in case they violated the rules.

“We have had cases where wedding and cash convoys have violated traffic regulations by either speeding or driving in zigzag, disregarding other road users. This is unacceptable. They are no exception; they should abide by traffic rules, or incur traffic punishments,” he said.

Rungira said ambulances are also required to observe traffic rules and avoid speeding when not on emergencies.

Private security companies and banking institutions welcomed new City traffic developments, acknowledging that they are “no exceptions” to traffic rules.

Georgette Umutoni, the marketing manager of Intersec Security, told The New Times yesterday that they had not received the new traffic regulations, but they are willing to obey them.

“We haven’t received those rules yet, but, we are no exception. Any law regarding traffic we have got to respect it, even when transporting money,” Mutoni said.

Lawson Naibo, the Bank of Kigali’s chief operations officer, also said the new traffic regulations have no threat to money transportation.

“We do not see any problem with that...we have cash-in-transit contract with Intersec, and are one of those that say, road safety first,” Naibo said.

“If a car was speeding and caused an accident, there is more risk to our money than a vehicle that is observing traffic rules.

“There, we are sure that our money will arrive safely. From our stand point, we would have a problem if the company we have contracted does not respect traffic rules.”

Naibo added that one of the criteria they would follow to terminate a contract with the company transporting their money is the number of accidents a car has been involved in.

In July, Police announced that it had recorded at least 1,324 road accidents between January and June, with 97 deaths.